We must be united in the war against addiction! My mission is to unite organizations,support groups, and everyone else who needs a helping hand. I am here to educate equip and develop a Recovery resource Network. My hope is that everyone gets the help they need and no one is left behind or alone in their fight for freedom from addiction. Join me and lets fight the good fight! Our Philosophy: Instigate, Agitate, Educate, and Liberate!

Sunday, July 13, 2014

5 GREAT Vacation Tips

By Karl Benzio, MD

Vacations, by far, are the most prolific producer of many of my cherished memories. The opportunity to be with the ones I love while taking a break from the stressors and rigors of the merry-go-round of life creates an ideal and fertile formula to bring out the best in me, as I enjoy a small oasis in a dark world. But just because everyone is loaded in the packed-to-the-hilt car doesn’t mean vacation success is inevitable. Let me give you my 5 “GREAT” tips for making once-in-a-lifetime vacation memories:

God/Gratefulness—We should continually look to God and be grateful for our time with family and friends.

Relationships—They are more important than anything else as we rejuvenate and recharge.

Essentials—We must remember to manage the basics well and not allow distractions to edge their way into simplified time away.

1 in 10 Premature Deaths in America Attributed to Excessive Alcohol Use

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1 in 10 deaths among American adults aged 20-64 are attributed to excessive alcohol use.

The report went on to say that excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths per year from 2006 to 2010, and cut short the lives of those who died by about 30 years. Some deaths, from breast cancer, liver disease and heart disease, were due to drinking too much over time. Other deaths were attributed to consuming too much alcohol in a short period of time, with results such as violence, alcohol poisoning and automobile accidents.

“Addictions as a whole mainly involve ‘The Big Three’: alcohol, tobacco and food, and are the No. 1 killers in the country,” said Dr. Karl Benzio of Lighthouse Network (www.844LifeChange.org), an addiction and mental health counseling helpline. "Alcohol itself is usually listed as second or third on the list. But many of the top two causes of death—heart disease and cancer—are a direct result of or have strong ties to alcohol use."

Check out other media interviews including TV appearances, radio programs, print features and articleshere...

Dr. Karl Benzio in The Christian Post

The community of Newtown, Conn., is still healing after the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary that killed 20 children and six adults on December 14, 2012. Just this week, Connecticut State Police honored more than 300 first responders, including state and local police, firefighters, emergency dispatchers, paramedics, psychiatrists and forensic examiners. Read the ABC News story here...

Just days after the shooting, The Christian Post featured a story about former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who stated that shootings like the one at Sandy Hook were due in part to the "systematic removal of God" from America's schools. The Christian Post also quoted Lighthouse Network's Karl Benzio, MD, who underlined the need for God during tragic situations, especially during healing.

"This incident demonstrates the need that our society has for our Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. It is only through His grace and mercy that this community and our nation will be able to experience lasting healing after such tragedy as this," Benzio said. "It is the Biblical lens that we want each to person see this tragedy through. People should lean on the power of Christ to deal with the pain that is inevitable during this extreme adversity."

Dr. Benzio also raised the issue of media exploitation of victims of violence. "When a catastrophe of this magnitude occurs, parents, schools, and the community need to shield these kids to help them process this event, so that the effects do not haunt them for years," he said. "Doing so can cause additional mental health damage and increase the risks of addiction or other destructive coping behaviors."

Truth For Women Mentor TrainingSeptember 27 | Bethlehem, PAThis event will train ladies who mentor other women who are struggling. They will be trained in counseling and in teaching decision-making skills using the SPEARS decision-making model.

Moments of Change 2014 Addictions ConferenceSeptember 29-October 2 | Palm Beach, FLDr. Karl Benzio, MD will present on "Addiction: Sin, Disease, or Psychological Defect?" as well as his SPEARS decision-making model, which is key to real biological-psychological-spiritual treatment by integrating science and faith. He encourages people to practically apply the Bible in daily living to truly renew the mind.

Focus on the Family Physicians Resource CouncilOctober 1-5 | Colorado Springs, COThis is a meeting of Christian physicians who help guide and define Focus' position on various medical and psychiatric/psychological issues which affect individuals, families, society and public policy.

All Access ARC ConferenceNovember 4-6 |Saddleback Church, Orange County, CA Dr. Benzio will equip church leaders with his insights in decision-making and using science to squeeze the powerful life transforming juice out of the Bible for practical growth and maximal fulfillment.

National Association of Christian Social Workers National ConferenceNovember 6-9 | Annapolis, MDLighthouse Network's Dr. Karl Benzio will lead a workshop on how to be a shining light through godly decision-making skills as he teaches his unique bio-psycho-spiritual model which actually rewires your brain circuits, thus renewing your mind as Romans 12:1-2 clearly states.

Lighthouse Network RadioFeature:"Life Change with Dr. Karl”

Lighthouse Network is sharing its newest, life-changing radio features with thepurpose of bringing scientific expertise and Biblical principles together to examine some common daily struggles to help people successfully navigate life’s obstacles and enjoy fulfilled lives. Lighthouse Network's "Life Change with Dr. Karl" radio feature airs Monday through Friday on more than 425 radio stations nationwide.

Resources from Lighthouse Network

As Christians, we can use a specific decision-making process that helps us deal with the daily challenges of life with grace.

Field Manual forParenting: Teenagers

Being a parent of teenagers can be frustrating, challenging and exciting. This five-hour DVD series walks parents through the biological, mental and emotional changes happening in teens’ lives.

Satan'sStrategy

This video explores Satan’s strategy for corrupting our minds and rendering us ineffective in life. By understanding these attacks, we can be prepared with truth to align our perceptions with God’s plan.

Free Stepping Stones Devotional

Click here to receive The Stepping Stones Daily Devotional, which will encourage and challenge you while helping you grow in your daily walk with God.

Lighthouse Network is a Christian-based, non-profit organization that offers an addiction and mental health counseling helpline providing treatment options and resources to equip people and organizations with the skills necessary to shine God's glory to the world, stand strong on a solid foundation in the storms of their own lives, and provide guidance and safety to others experiencing stormy times, thus impacting their lives, their families and the world.